Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has granted rapper Jelly Roll, who was in and out of juvenile and adult correctional facilities in Nashville from age 14 to 24 for convictions ranging from aggravated robbery to drug dealing, a pardon for his past crimes.
Lee granted executive clemency to 33 individuals, including Jelly Roll (real name Jason Deford), on Thursday (Dec. 18), according to a press release issued by his office. The release stated that "pardons are granted to individuals who have completed their sentences and have been living freely in their communities for at least five years."
Lee said Jelly Roll's application underwent the same monthslong thorough review as other applicants. The state parole board gave a nonbinding, unanimous recommendation for Jelly Roll's pardon in April.
"His story is remarkable, and it's a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for," Lee told reporters.
"We can confirm Governor Bill Lee granted a full pardon to Jelly Roll earlier today as part of his announced executive clemency decisions," Jelly Roll's attorneys, David Raybin and Ben Raybin of Raybin & Weissman, said in a statement.
In Tennessee, a pardon generally restores a number of rights that had been revoked, including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office and own a handgun. Though some felons are unable to carry a passport, Jelly Roll received one a number of years ago and recently toured internationally for the first time.
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